Valved closure



Feb. 19, 1935. k D. M. GUNN VALVED CLOSURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 DAMoN GUNN Fil ed Dec. 14, 1935 D. M. GUNN Feb. 19, 1935.

VALVED CLOSURE Filed Dec. 14, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 flnmntov -DAM0- GUNN D. M. GUNN VALVED CLOSURE Feb. 19, 1935.

Filed Dec.

14, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 25 of the chamber to close properly. tion of the invention;

' Patented Feb.19,1935 7 1 e I 1,992,067

UNITED STATES PATENT] orrios varvii r swn I i Damon Mott Gunn, Fort Preble; Maine Application December 14, 1933, Serial No. 7,0 2,382 10 Claims. (or 221-40) The invention forming the subject matter of v Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner valve this application is an improvement on the valve forming a part of the closure illustrated in Fig-- closure disclosed in my United States Patent No. ures 1, 2', and 3;

1,879,205, dated September 27, 1932. Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section through 5 As in my aforesaid patent, the present invena modified form or the invention and in which 5 tion relates to valves shown as applied to 001- the closure is formed integral with a collapsible lapsible tubes in which shaving creams and other tube; toilet creams are ordinarily packaged and sold. Figure 6 is a central vertical section through However, the invention is not limited to this par-v another modification of the invention;

ticular use but may be applied in any other rela- Figure '7 is a central vertical section through 10 tion or situation where its employment may be another form of the aforesaid invention; advantageous or desirable. Figure 8 is a top plan view of the device shown The main object of the invention is to'provide in Figure '1;

' a collapsible valve closure which includes a cham- Figure 9 is a side view of the device shown in her having simultaneously opening and closing Figure'l; valves at its inner and outer ends, the closure Figure 10 is a top plan view of still another being so constructed as to reduce the volume of modification; I

' the chamber during the opening movements of Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on the the valve and to hold it so reduced until near line 11-11 of Figure 16;

the end of the valve closing movement; thereby Figure 12 is a central vertical section taken 20 creating a partial vacuum within the chamber through another modified form of the invention; tending to draw in any cream, liquid, or other Figure 13 is a sectional elevation of the dematter, which may have remained on the outer vice shown in Figure 12; valve seat, permitting the valve at the outer end Figure 14 is a plan of still another modifica- Another object of the invention is to provide a Figure 15 is a vertical section taken on the line collapsible valve closure in which the inner or 15-15 of Figure 14; inlet valve underlaps the walls surrounding the Figure 16 is a horizontal section taken on the mouth of the tube when the closure is in place line 16-16 of Figure 15; a

so that said inlet valve functions to hold the clo- Figure 17 is a top plan view of another mod- 30 sure to the tube. iflcation;

A further object or the invention is to provide Figure 18 is a vertical section taken on the line the inlet valve with a flexible circumierentially 18-18 01' Figure 1'1; 1 extending flange, the inlet valve below said flange Figure 19 is a perspective view of part of the being oi substantially the diameter of the mouth valve mechanism shown in Figure 18; of the tube and above said flange of a diameter Figure 20 is a top plan view of still another sumciently less than that of the mouth of said modification oi the invention; Y

tube to permit the valve to be forced through Figure 21 is a vertical section taken on'the the mouth oi said tube with the flange up-iolded, -line 21-21 of Figure 20;

said flange expandingsoas'to under-lap the wall Figure 22 is a side elevation of the device 4, surrounding the mouth of the tube and the part shown in Figure 21, but illustrating the parts in or the valve of larger diameter preventing sub-' a different operative position; sequent removal of the valve through the down- Figure 23 is a central vertical section through ward folding of said flange. anotheriorm oi the invention;

other objects or the invention will become ap- Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 23 but 45 parent as the detailed description thereof proshowing the parts moved to a diflerent position;

ceeds. Figure '25 is a central vertical section through In the drawings: still another form of the invention; Figure 1 is a top plan view of one format the Figure 26 is a side elevation of the device shown 60 invention; I in Figure 25; and a Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section taken Figure 2'! is a horizontal section taken on-the on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; line 27-27 of Figure 25.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with In the form of the invention illustrated in the parts or the closure shown in a different oper- Figures 1 to 4, a closure designagenerally aiive p i y the. reference-numeral 1 is shown detach- 5 ably connected to a collapsible tube 2. The closure, preferably formed of rubber or similar flexible material, has a body 3 generally cylindrical in cross section. The lower end of the body 3 is inwardly beveled to form aninclined annular wall 4 adapted to flt snugly on the upper inclined end of the tube 2.

The tube 2 is provided with a neck 5 having an outwardly extended flange 6 adapted to seat over a shoulder '7 formed in the interior of the body 3. Above the shoulder 7 the body 3 is shaped to form a chamber 8 having a top wall 9 from which depends a valve stem 10 which is suitably secured to the aforesaid top wall by means of a depending pin 11 cemented, or otherwise secured, in a bore 12 (see Figure 4). The lower end of the stem 10 is enlarged to form an outwardly extending flange 13 adapted to seat snugly in an annular valve seat 14 formed at the lower end of the neck 5 of the collapsible tube 2.

The upper end of the body 3 where it extends from the wall 9 is generally triangular in cross section. This upper end 15 has a projecting lug 16 formed at one side thereof. The body 3 is provided with a slot 17 which is normally closed by the natural resilience of the material from which the body 3 is made. The body 3 and the valve mechanism connected thereto are so arranged and constructed that when the flange 13 is seated in the annular seat 14 the slot 17 is closed.

In order to move the valve 13 from its seat and to open the slot 17, it is only necessary for the operator to press downwardly on the projection 16. This pressure not only moves the valve 13 away from its seat, but also causes the slot 17 to gape and thereby permit the discharge of fluent material from the collapsible tube 2. The form of the invention just described is adapted to be forced onto the neck of a tube of standard construction; the naturally resilient parts yielding suflficiently to permit them to be properly assembled on the neck.

In the modification shown in Figure 5, the closure body 18 is formed integral with a collapsible tube, which, of course, will be made of the same elastic material. The body -18 is provided with a top 19 somewhat similar to the top 15 of the modified form described above. A stem 20 depends from the top 19 and has suitably secured to its lower end a valve closure 21 adapted to seat snugly against a flat face 22 formed at the upper end of the tube 23.

The valve 21 comprises a comparatively heavy body 24 from the center of which extends a cylindrical projection 25 adapted to receive the lower cylindrical end 26 of the stem 20. The end 26 may be suitably secured in the cylindrical projection 25 by cementing these parts together or by any other suitable means. The cylindrical projection 25 may be reinforced by any desired number of radial ribs 27 which extend adjacent to the outer periphery of the body 24 and serve as guide means for properly positioning the body 24 on the seat 22.

In the modification shown in Figure 6, the body 28 of flexible material is detachably connected to the neck 29 of a collapsible tube 30. The lower end of the body 28 is beveled or countersunk at a greater inclination than the inclination of the upper end of the tube 30; and is shaped to form an annular bead 31 which seats under the flange 32 which extends outwardly from the upper end of the neck 29. The body 28 is shaped to form a chamber 33, from the upper member 35.

.wall of which a valve stem 34 depends to be connected suitably at its lower end to a valve The valve member 35 comprises a comparatively heavy body 36 having an outwardly directed flange 37 adapted to seat against an annular flat valve seat 38 formed at the lower end of the neck 39. r The upper end of the body 28 is inclined to form a triangular member 39 which may be depressed, as indicated by the dotted line, to open the valve 35 and the slot 40 formed at the junction of the member 39 with the main part of the body 28.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the closure comprises a cylindrical part 41 internally screwthreaded at its lower end to engage the external screwthread on the neck 42 of a collapsible tube 43. The part of the body 41 adjacent the neck 42 preferably is formed of vulcanized rubber, while the upper part is necessarily formed of flexible material. The upper end of the body 41 is of conical shape and is provided with two slots 44 and 45 which may be caused to gape by a lateral and downward pressure on the apex 46 of the closure.

A valve stem 47 depends centrally from the conical end of the closure; and at its lower end is suitably secured to a valve member 47 adapted to seat against the valve seat 48 when pressure is removed from the upper end of the closure. Obviously, when the valve 47 is in closed position the slots 44 and 45 must also be closed.

In the modification shown in Figures 10 and 11, the body 49 of flexible material is substantially cylindrical throughout its length. The lower end 50 of said body 49 is sharply countersunk so as to make a close flt with the upper inclined end 51 of the collapsible tube 52. The interior of the body 49 is shaped to form a chamber 53 closed at its upper end by a wall 54 from which depends a valve stem 55 having a valve 56 suitably secured to its lower end to move toward and from a valve seat 57 formed at the lower end of the neck 58 of the said tube. The top wall of the chamber 53 is provided with slots 59 and 60 which are normally closed by the resilience of the material, but which may be caused to gape by lateral and downward pressure on the upper end of the body 49. Obviously, such pressure will also cause the valve 56 to be moved from its seat;

The modification shown in Figures 12 and 13 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. The body 61 of this closure is internally screwthreaded at its lower end to engage the external screwthreads on the neck 62 atthe upper end of a collapsible tube 63. The body 61 is shaped to form a cylindrical chamber 64; and the top wall of this chamber is inverted V-shaped in cross section. A ridge 65 extends lengthwise of the aforesaid top and provides the means whereby the top may be moved in opposite direction to cause the slot 66 or the slot 67 to gape for the purpose of discharging material from the closure.

A valve stem 68 depends from the center of the top, and at its lower end is suitably secured to a valve 69 having an annular flange 70 extending outwardly therefrom to seat in an annular groove 71 formed at the lower end of the neck 62. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the valve 69 is secured by a staple to the lower end of the stem 68.

In the modification shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, the closure comprises a hemispherical 72 of flexible material having a stem 73 depending ofthe stem 73 and are upper part it will -flange when the latter threaded to receive to a valve r fromthe center thereof with a spring '13 sur-- rounding the stem. The lower end of the body '12 fits snugly over the upper end' of the neck '14 extending upwardly from the upper end of a container I5. The stem '13 is connected at its lower ,end to a valve 74' which includes a flange 75' adapted to seat against the flat face 76 formed at the lower end of the neck 74. Slots '1'! and '18 are formed in the body '12 on opposite sides the material and by the pressure of spring '73" when the valve '74 is in closing position against the seat '16. The operation of this form of the inventionis quite similar to that of the previously described form.

P1111 this form of the invention the valve '14 is provided with a circumferential flange '15 which it' will be observed under-laps the neck '74 preventing removal of the closure. The closure was silience of applied by forcing the valve '14 down through the neck 74 with the flexible flange l up-folded with respect to the upper part of the valve, which beobserved is cut away or smaller in diameter so asto make room for the is upfolded. After the flange 75' has expanded as in the position shown in Figure 15, the closure cannot be subsequently removed, for the bottom portion of the valve '74 is made of a diameter approximately that of the neck 74 leaving no room for the down-folding of the flange '15.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 17,18 and 19 a substantially cylindrical body 79 has a skirt 80 at its lower and internally screwthe externally'screwthreaded upper end of a collapsible tube 81. The body 79' is provided with an intermediate recess 82 having its innerwall beveled to correspond with the slope 83 of a flange 84 formed between the ends of the valve member 85. A flange 86 is formed between the ends of the body '19 to facilitate the assembly of the body on the upper end or the tube 81. p

, The valve member 85 has its flange 84 clamped between the-shoulder 8'? of the body 29 and the upper edge of the flexible tube 81. The valve member 85 also has downwardly directed a frustoconical valve seat 88 adapted to receive the conical face of a valve 89 suitably secured at the lower end of a stem 90 which depends from the center of the top 91 of the valve member 85 and issurrounded by a spring 120. The lower part a of the valve member 85 may be rigid; but it is necessary that the upper part be flexible in order that the slots 92 and 93 may be opened whenever pressure is applied to the central button 94. It will be obvious from an inspection of the drawings, that when the center of the top 91 is depressed, the slots 92 and 93 will be caused to gape, and thereby permit the egress of material from the interior of the valve member 85.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figures 20, 21, and 22 is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Figures 1'1 to 19. In this form, however. the valve member 95 is made throughout of flexible material in order to permit its intermediate flange 96 to be sprung into the intermediate recess 97 formed in the body 98, which is internally screwthreaded at its lower end to receive the externally screwthreade'd upper end of the flexible tube 99. v

A valve stem 100 depends centrally from the flexible top 101 of the valve member 95. At its lower end the valve stem 100 is suitably secured 102 adapted to be moved by pressure closed by the normalrevtical with that shown in Figures applied to the top 101, from its seat 103 formed at the lower end of the valve member 95. The top of the valve 95 is provided with slots 104 and 105 which arenormally closed by the resilience of the material whenever the valve 102 is in' 6 closed position on its seat 103. It will be evident that pressure applied to the top 101 will cause the slots 104 and 105 to gape at the same time as the valve 102 is moved from its seat 103.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 23 and 24, the valve member 106 is made ofresilient material; and at its lower end is provided with a flange 10'! adapted to be clamped against the inwardly directed annular flange 108 formed at the upper end of a collapsible tube 109. As 16 shown in Figures 23 and 24. the flange 106 is formed at the lower end of a cylindrical recess 110 which is internally screwthreaded to receive the screw threads or a clamping nut 111 which is provided with recesses 112 adapted to receive correspondingly shaped pins of a sparmer commonly used to rotate nuts of this character. The valve member 106 is shaped to provide a flat top 113 which terminates in a slot 114 where the top joins the side of the member 106. The lower wall 1150f the member 106 is shaped to form a seat for a valve portion 116 formed integrally with the member 106. The operation 0! this form of the invention will be apparent from inspection of Figure 24 of the drawings which shows 80 the valve member 106 distorted to move the valve 116 away from its seat 115 and to cause the slot 114 to gape for the purpose of permitting material to be expelled through the slot 114.

The parts are so constructed and designed that 36 her.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 25, 26, and 27, the valve member 106 is iden-' 23 and 24. In this case, however, the flange 107 is clamped to the upper end 117 of a collapsible tube 118 by means of a flanged nut- 119. The construction and mode of operation of this form of the invention will be obvious from an inspection of the drawings.

Numerous variations may doubtless be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the principles of myinvention. I, therefore, desire no limitations to be imposed on my invention, except such as are indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Acollapsible container having a discharge outlet, a closure secured to said outlet and come prising a body of resilient material shaped to form a chamber extending from said outlet; said body being provided at its outer end with a slot communicating with said chamber, said slot being normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body, and a valve flxed to said body atthe lower end of said chamber, said valve normally forming a closed bottom wall for said chamber and adapted to open only when said slot is caused to gape by distorting pressure applied to said body.

2. A collapsible container having a rigid discharge outlet provided with an outwardly directed flange, a valved closure formed of resil- Provided ient material adapted to snap over the flange of said outlet, said closure being shaped to form a chamber extending from said outlet and provided at its outer end with a slot communicating with said chamber, said slot being normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body, a valve stem depending from the upper wall of said chamber, and a valve secured to said stem within said container, and adapted to close said outlet only when the slot is closed.

3. A collapsible container having a discharge outlet provided with a valved closure formed of resilient material and shaped to form a chamber extending from said outlet and provided at its outer end with a slot, said slot being normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body, a valve stem depending from the upper wall of said chamber, and a valve secured to said stem within said container and adapted to close said outlet only when the slot is closed.

4. A collapsible container having an externally screwthreaded discharge neck, a valved closure having one end thereof internally screwthreaded to be detachably connected to said neck, said closure comprising a body shaped to form a chamber extending from said neck and having the outer wall thereof formed of flexible material, said wall being provided with a slot communicating with said chamber and normally closed by the resilience of said material, a valve stem depending from said wall, a valve secured to said stem within said container and adapted to close the inner end of said neck only when the slot in the wall of said chamber is closed.

5. A collapsible container having a rigid discharge neck-extending therefrom, a valved clo-.

sure having one end thereof fixedly secured to said neck, said closure comprising a body of resilient material and forming a chamber within said neck, said body being provided at its outer end with a slot normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body, a valve stem depending from said wall, a valve secured within said container to the lower end of said stem and adapted to close said discharge neck only when the slot in said body is closed.

6. A collapsible container having a rigid discharge outlet extending within the container and with an inwardly directed flange, a valved closure comprising a body of resilient material shaped to form a chamber extending from said outlet, a flange extending outwardly from cess formed by said the lower end of said body and seated in the reinwardly directed flange, means for clamping the second named flange in said recess, said body being provided at its outer end with a slot communicating with said chamber and normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body.

7. A collapsible container having a rigid discharge outlet extending within the container and provided with an inwardly directed flange, a valved closure comprising a body oi resilient ma terial shaped to form a chamber extending from extending outwardly from body and seated in the recess formed by said inwardly directed flange, means for clamping the second named flange in said recess, said body being provided at its outer end with a slot communicating with said chamber and normally closed by the resilience of said material and adapted to be opened by distorting pressure applied to said body, and a valve extending from said body at the lower end of said chamber and normally forming a closed bottom wall for said chamber and adapted to be opened only when said slot is caused to gape by distorting pressure applied to said body.

8. A mouthpiece for containers of liquid or fluent plastic substances comprising a body of resilient material shaped to form a. chamber being adapted to be applied to the mouth of the container and having inlet and discharge valves at opposite sides of said chamber simultaneously openable by deformation of the walls of said chamber, the inlet valve under-lapping the walls of said mouth for holding the mouthpiece on the container.

9. A mouthpiece as claimed in claim 8, the inlet valve being constructed to close before the walls of said chamber have recovered their original position, creating a vacuum in said chamber prior to the closing of the discharge valve.

10. A mouthpiece for containers comprising a deformable body formed with a chamber and having a discharge slot in one wall of said chamber, a valve fixed to the opposite wall, said slot and said valve being normally closed, and said chamber being of maximum volume when said body is in normal undeformed state, and said slot and valve opening when said body is deformed, and said valve closing before said slot closes when the deforming pressure is removed, whereby the expanded chamber acquires a partial vacuum, drawing fluid inwardly through said slot.

DAMON MO'I'I' GUNN. 

